Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-07-01
THE LAD AND THE Laps.


possessed OF EIehL WedlJH It0'lN'N W III
crease his revenue by shrewd investments
This determination reaching the ears of in
terested friends, was hailed by them with
accamations Of delight, for they reasoned
among themselves, "Now this lad is foolish
enough to share whatever he Possesses
with us, consequently any prosperity await
ing him will be equally divided among his
friends as heretofore, and it is of the ut
most Importance that he should be rightly
counselled as to how and where TO invest
his money"
Whereupon with one accord they has
tened to the lad, and after much persuasion
induced the simpleton TO place his entire
property in II mine Of seemingly inexhaust-
ible riches. He staked his all and lost.
Such dire misfortune drove the poor fellow
frantic, and for years he wandered aimless-
" over the carth broken-hearted, dispirit-
ed, friendcss being, with no merciful hand
outstretched to console him in this bitter
trial
One day he found himself far away from
the busy haunts Of men in desert place of
sand and stone Not IA sound to be heard
save the benting Of his own rebelious
heart not face to he seen save the re
nection, in a little pool of water at his feet,
Of his own unhappy features. Seating him
| self upon slight elevation Of stones he be
gan to toy idly with the soil by his side as
! he remembered how many hours he had
| spent in his innocent boyhoOd, playing in
this way, sitting the sand through his fin
gers into tiny mounds and miniature gar
dens, recalling with a momentary CLEAN Of
pleasure his boyish delight at finding any
little colored pebbles unearthed by his busy
hands, and carefully treasured as something
very wonderful until discarded for others
still more marvellous to his childish eyes.
While indulging in these happy recollectons
he picked up bit Of stone and mechani-
cally putting it into his pocket, resumed
his tresome journey across the barren
moor till, at last, overcome with fatigue,
he threw himself down at the foot of a
rocky hill and fell asleep. But his rest wa.
disturbed 10y fearful dreams strange voices
assailed him, and he was constantly strug
Cling with unseen foes
In terror he jumped up from his hare
couch, and striking his hand violently
against the rough ledge, awoke from hii
troubled slumbers 4 confused camor o
voices was still ringing in the air above
him. out Of which grew one coherent sen
tence merging into a shrill command
Look at your pebble foolish boy He
thrust his hand into his pocket and 10 in
stead Of the worthless stone he had place.
there the night before, beheld "a rare am
costly gem In utter amazement at thi
wondrous transformation, he laid it gentl.
upon his open palm, where it seemed t
nestle coyly beneath his earnest gaze, IRA
dating the gloom with its transcenden
brightness. 4 long long time the yout
stood entranced at the sight of this da2
cling jewel, until. by degrees, the soft, ten
der light reached up and encircled his hun
, gry heart with sympathetic warmth an
tenderness Filled with JOY and admire
ton, he fell upon his knees, and pressin
the priceless treasure to his bosom, thanke
God for the gift so miraculOusly sent him.
] Refreshed and strengthened, he aros
. from the ground, firmly resolved to wrestl
manfully with adversely; and with tn
/ purpose ever before him, holding the jew'
/ tightly clnsped within his hand, he retrace
his steps in order TO mingle once more wit
70 the worlds stern conflict He sought an
D. obtained employment of the humblest kline
e and though many times faltering and stun
bling on his weary way, tempted to yiel
y the fight, he worked ON patiently, hopeful,
L for whenever deathly faintness attacke
i him he withdrew to some quiet spot, am
II taking out his talisman, imbibed fresh cou
d age from its cheering rays. Every nigl
he placed the spotless gem upon his pillow
and resting his tired head thereon DIRE
fresh inspiration for the waking hour
And as time rolled on the boy grew
e. grace and stature far beyond his fello'
a men. They spoke of him as one who III
/ conquered in life's battle through his ow
: strong will and perseverance. No one sa
= the charm he wore, nor the divine lig
II within that modest soul though IAN ha'
e the key to the casket, few have power
r open it." i'm. F..